New Tank, New Catfish, New Spiny Eel!

[CAC]

I have re-done my 18 gallon tank, because of a crash whereby the contents of a CO2 bottle syphoned into my tank, destroying all the plants and making a huge mess. So ive set it up again, without plants (for now) and I have added my first inhabitants. A group of four Microglanis iheringi, commonly known as the south american bumblebee catfish. I couldnt get them anywhere local, so resorted to mail order and went with tri-mar. Heres what I recevied:

Here is a picture and a video of the bumblebee cats:

(Click for the video, hopefully it will work): http/s90.photobucket.com/albums/k248/Ken...nt=P1000529.flv

I also got a spiny eel, was meant to be another Macrognathus pancalus since my other two died. I asked monty (from tri-mar) for a description of it, just to make sure, and what he gave me wasnt really enough for a positive ID, but I thought I would go for it anyway, "as long as it isnt a fire or tyre track" I said. So I ended up with this little fella, only small, about 4.5 or 5". Looks african to me, however coming from a asian shipment (which I assume it has done) would say otherwise wouldnt it... I will try and get some pics, the tanks lights are off though and so its very dark in there.

I will get some more pics and videos later (and some of the eel), anda few of the whole tank and what it looks like with the neons on...

Mike

EDIT: They all seem to be settling in well now, the BB cats are all chuilling (see new pics) and theyve stopped their mad dashes and they seem pretty ok now. I got some more pics, and I got a decent one of the "mystery" eel:

 

[paul_219]

Nice catfish.

 

[roseK]

cute

 

[CAC]

Yeah theyre pretty cool. Theyve settled down now and are all chilling out, but when I first put them in they were going crazy!!!
Thanks for the replys

Mike

 

[RadaR]

Wonderful little Catfish. I was considering getting some myself.
Good to see the care that goes into Trimar's packaging.
Good luck with them.

 

[jayjay]

Nice little catfish, I used to have a few but never saw them except when I took everything out of the tank.

 

[CAC]

Thanks RadaR and jayjay
Im keeping the tank pretty bare (as you can see) simply because I dont want to not see them for weeks on end...I may add some plants that grow from the bogwood, but I want to majority of the bottom free so I can see them under the wood.

P.S. I have added more photos of the fish to my first post. Anyone got any thoughts on the eel? I still think it looks african, allthough it does have some pancalus characteristics...

Mike

 

[roseK]

i like the eel. hes cuteeeee

 

[divisible by zero]

very nice eel, the 2 peacocks i have are quicly becoming my favorites

 

[jayjay]

Yeah, I think the larger number you have will make them more active as well. Have you considered using a moon light so you see them more often? What filter are you using as well?

 

[GobyMaster]

Nice cats and eel Catfish Are Cool!!!

Got any pics of the whole set-up??


GobyMaster

 

[CAC]

I will get some more pics and videos later (and some of the eel), anda few of the whole tank and what it looks like with the neons on...

Yes jayjay and GobyMaster, I will have some up later.
The filter is an eheim HOB with a turnover of just over 5 times the tank volume. The lights for the tank are overhead, with two white and one neon blue tube, and they can be switched on individually (either the middle, which is my neon, the two outer tubes which are white or all 3).
From what ive seen so far it looks like being in a group is essential for their happiness. They are often (like you can see in the pics) all ontop of eachother and often swim arround at the same times and places.

Mike

EDIT: Oh and jayjay the media thats in it is from my mature tank, so its fully cycled (I only set-up the tank a couple of days ago).
Also, just been having a look through the Macrognathus species on fishbase. It appears to have the same colour and body shape to Macrognathus zebrinus (see here: http/www.fishbase.org/Summary/speciesSum...sname=zebrinus) and in the pic you can see where the vertical bars should be, but are probably missing because of stress. Its the colour that is differant to the silvery Macrognathus pancalus but the vertical bars are still there which could be why it got mixed up. It would be nice if it was a zebra spiny eel, theyre apparently hard to get hold of here in the UK, but ill have to wait and see what happens with regards to the bars coming back.